BC Rugby Women’s Team Unlucky in Ontario

Photo: BC Rugby Senior Women's Team playing against Nova Scotia Keltics, 2016 National Women's League

The BC Rugby Senior Women’s Team were unfortunate third place finishers at the 2016 National Women’s League, despite three from four wins at Fletchers’ Fields in Markham, Ontario.

With several 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup Silver Medallists leading the way, including Andrea Burk, Amanda Thornborough, Hillary Leith and Brittany Waters, BC’s campaign got off to a great start on Wednesday with a 22-12 win over eventual winners Équipe Québec. But it was the match against Ontario Storm that pushed BC off course. A slow start from the Team saw the hosts open up a 14-3 lead by half-time. BC Rugby came back strong in the opening of the second half to get back within touching distance but Ontario posted two more tries and the whistle blew with a final score of 26 to 15.

Coached by Aaron Frisby, the BC Women returned the next day and put in a stellar performance against Nova Scotia Keltics, posting a 45 to 7 win and scoring a crucial bonus point to ensure that they were still within a chance of the Championship Title. But both Ontario and Québec had similar ideas and ensured bonus points were scored in their subsequent matches.

Heading into the weekend, BC, Ontario and Québec had all recorded two wins and one loss but BC was down a bonus point and gaining that margin back wasn’t completely within the Team’s control. Any hopes were shot when Équipe Québec posted a bonus point win over the Prairie Wolfpack on Saturday and that was to be followed on theSunday by Ontario also gaining a bonus point win over Nova Scotia.

Not to be deterred, the BC Senior Women completed their final round-robin tournament match against the Prairie Wolfpack and put in a great performance to record a 35-10 win, which also earned the Team another bonus point.

The final standings had Ontario and Québec tied with a total of 18 points, with BC on 17 points. With the top two teams tied, it was the earlier head to head result that gave Équipe Québec the Title win, having defeated Ontario on the Friday 46 to 24. (Click here to see the standings table)

The Women will now return to their BC Rugby Clubs where preparations for the 2016 Fall Season are underway. With the season kicking off on September 17th, it’s not too late to join up. Visit tryrugby.ca to learn more about the sport and find a local club near you.